Elizabeth

Greetings, everyone -

My husband and I would like to spend our 1 year wedding anniversary in the Caribbean (in October) and would appreciate help in choosing an island.

We would like to avoid the more Americanized, overly commercialized islands, and prefer an island with culture and charm. We're also looking for an island that has good food, good snorkeling, and long beautiful beaches with white, baby powder sand. An island where we can kayak and bicycle around would also be great.

We don't need a great deal of night life, but it would be a bonus if there was a nice town nearby where we could dine and stroll through, and maybe do some shopping.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Best,

Elizabeth

DIANA_PR77

EVEN THOUGH PUERTO RICO IS A BIT AMERICANIZE IT STILL HAS ITS CHARM AND IS FULL OF CULTURE AND HISTORY. IF YOU WISH FREE INFO ON PUERTO RICO CALL US AT 1-800-866-7827 ITS FREE FROM US AND CANADA. WE CAN SEND INFO, IT TAKES 7 DAYS TO ARRIVE AND WE ALSO GIVE HELP BY PHONE.

A PLACE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IS OUR TOWN ISLAND OF VIEQUES AND CULEBRA. THEY ARE EVERYTHING YOU DESCRIBE . IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THEY ARE PUERTO RICO 20 YEARS AGO. THEY ARE QUIETE, WITH SECLUDED BEACHES AND GOOD FOOD.

Mary

You just described Anguilla (33 long, glorious beaches; no American anything; lovely people; & 80 great restaurants). However, much of the island is closed thru most of October. Are you going late or early in the month?

Cathy

I am not sure how you would define culture, so I thought of it as historical sights and a people with rich and unique lifestyles different from how we in the States live.

I agree with Diana. I have been to many Caribbean islands and I think Puerto Rico has the most culture of any island I have been to. Once you get out of San Juan, it is not very Americanized at all. Even in San Juan, there are museums and forts and concerts and cultural events. Old San Juan is very pretty to walk through by day. And there are facinating crafts like the "devil masks" made in Ponce, based on African culture.
Heading east of San Juan, toward Fajardo is a beach that is supposed to be very beautiful - I think it is called Luquillo beach. Culebra is also supposed to have one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
Dive masters on the island can tell you where some good snorkling spots are. The very best experience I had was night snorkeling on Vieques in a biolumescent bay! Its just like swimming in neon light!! So awsome! Vieques itself has lots of charm, right down to the horses and goats that often stand in the road.

There are lots of hiking, kayaking opportunities around the island.

I love Anguilla and it has the most beautiful beaches, but it has very little culture that I know of.

tivertonhouse

Go off the beaten path and look at the
Iles des Saintes, Los Roques or Barbuda

wadadli

Barbuda (short on culture but amazing beaches etc)
Grenada/Grenadines
Dominica (dark sand tho')
BVIs
Parts of Antigua

Nancy

Bonaire in the ABC island chain. Best water activities in the Caribbean and quiet.

Cathy

One thing to consider, wherever you go - in the fall, particularly September and October, many Caribbean businesses and some hotels close down since it is the height of hurricane season. So lots of research before you pick a place to make sure that things will be open.

Elizabeth

Thank you, everyone, for your great suggestions.

I especially appreciate the heads up about businesses being closed in October. I was unaware of this despite knowing that I'd be traveling during hurricane season.

Cheers,

Elizabeth

Lisa

You have described Bermuda to a "T"- except the sand is pink. The water is turquoise blue and culture and history are everywhere (Colonized in the early 1600's). The is not musch to do there other than relax and take in the beautiful scenery. Snorkeling is everywhere, you can even take a short boat ride just off shore and snorkel over 2 shipwrecks. The weather is still nice in October, but gets a little colder/rainy in November.

mary

To Elizabeth:

Forget everyone else above...the best island with long beautiful beaches-white sand-turqouise water, totally romantic, safe and un-touristy is Anguilla. Great places to stay are Frangipani, Sonesta, Cuisinart, Cap Juluca, Cove Castles and Malliouhana. Perfect for an anniversary. We went on our honeymoon and again 2 years later.

Definitely cruise around the Anguilla boards and do some research on it.

Have fun!!!!

Nancy

Elizabeth,
Contrary to Mary's post that you should "forget everyone else above," you got some very good advice from Diana, Cathy and Lisa.
We spent two weeks in October on Anguilla and were disappointed to find most of the restaurants we had REALLY wanted to go to were closed.
Also, it was very hard to come by any activities as many people who live there were off-island or not running dive tours, etc.
There is not nearly the cultural and historical activity there as can be found on some of the other islands suggested - Puerto Rico, Bermuda, etc.
Antigua and St. Kitts also have most of what you are looking for.